Originally Posted by Kabaal (Post 35668623)

You can use it anywhere. I have a mate in Australia who occasionally logs into mine to watch their exclusives like House of Cards. Their only limit is how many devices can be logged in at the exact same time.

Originally Posted by johnathome (Post 35668640)

That would be good but i'm not sure it's quite right?

Your mate wouldn't be able to log into the UK netflix from Oz without using a VPN, he could log into the Oz Netflix using your details though.

There is no Netflix in France so you wouldn't be able to log in without a VPN.

http://jordanfried.com/how-to-watch-netflix-in-france/

Originally Posted by Kabaal (Post 35668641)

You can just use a browser addon, it's really not hard.

Originally Posted by Kabaal (Post 35668623)

You can use it anywhere. I have a mate in Australia who occasionally logs into mine to watch their exclusives like House of Cards. Their only limit is how many devices can be logged in at the exact same time.

Originally Posted by AlabasterLyn (Post 35673029)

We have been a bit slow in our household regarding watching The Bridge. Have just finished watching Series 1 only to find that Series 2 isn't on Netflix and it's no longer available on iPlayer either :(

How come they aren't up to date with the series they show?

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35673070)

Because Netflix is only £6 p/m and for that price, they can't fund having the latest series on, which would be more expensive than buying the rights when they are a little older and DVD sales are past there prime. Also rights issues come in to play.

Netflix are doing some things a little differently, and depending on rights may be a sign of things to come? On Netflix Netherlands, on a couple of ABC shows,they are adding an episode weekly, the day after it airs in the states. I believe Netflix UK did the same with a couple of shows in the UK. Obviously for that to happen, no channel in that country will have the broadcast rights to the show.

Given that Alibi has dumped White Collar and 5 USA dumped Justified, maybe Netflix UK could do it with those, and add episodes already aired?

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35673377)

But with $3bn to spend in 2014, are you sure that Netflix cannot afford the latest series? I think it's more to do with rights issues, personally.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35673384)

Why I said:



It's down to both; rights issues and good husbandry of their resources. Thing is, people want their cake and to also eat it; you can't have cheap subscription rates and loads of up to date content.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35673377)

But with $3bn to spend in 2014, are you sure that Netflix cannot afford the latest series? I think it's more to do with rights issues, personally.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35673469)

Having the money to spend is only one part of the issue , Netflix only has 2 million or so UK subscribers , why would they spend vast fortunes for the UK rights to newer shows with such a small user base. Maybe over time if the service were to grow massively this could change but it certainly wont be over night.

Compare Netflix's 2 million subscriber reach with a pay tv channel like Fox which is available on every UK platform , so that's over 10 million Sky subscribers nearly 4 million VM subscribers and both BT and Talk Talk near the million mark each.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35674277)

Netflix will continue with its original productions were it can show them in all its markets , paying silly amounts for the first run movie rights in the UK just doesn't stack up until it's user base grows considerably larger here in my opinion.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35674281)

Sometimes you sustain a loss by spending more to attract new customers. Look at Sky with their Sky Atlantic channel. A huge loss leader if ever I saw one. Tiny audience, expensive and exclusive first run shows.

I agree with your basic premise, MM, that Netflix's income is not enough to cover the expense of first run material, but this is exactly what attracts new custom. If it wants to grow big quickly, this is the way to do it. I think their pockets are large enough to withstand it.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35674277)

Netflix will continue with its original productions were it can show them in all its markets , paying silly amounts for the first run movie rights in the UK just doesn't stack up until it's user base grows considerably larger here in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35674293)

http://www.theguardian.com/business/...ma-film-online

"Sky's deals with the major Hollywood studios – Disney, Warner Bros, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures and Universal Studios – come up for renewal in 2017 and 2018."

"Analysts at IHS put the total value of Sky's movie deals at between £300m and £350m a year."

Imagine how much Netflix would need to bid in 4 years time to try and wrestle those rights away. It's going to be real expensive. SKY are paying out almost £30m a month on movie rights to the studios.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35674281)

Sometimes you sustain a loss by spending more to attract new customers. Look at Sky with their Sky Atlantic channel. A huge loss leader if ever I saw one. Tiny audience, expensive and exclusive first run shows.

I agree with your basic premise, MM, that Netflix's income is not enough to cover the expense of first run material, but this is exactly what attracts new custom. If it wants to grow big quickly, this is the way to do it. I think their pockets are large enough to withstand it.

Originally Posted by nicknewark (Post 35674343)

Maybe Amazon on Demand will arrive on TIVO, and will sit nicely next to Netflix. Hope so.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35674351)

Seems a good deal if you join before 26th Feb

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/prime/pi...orepreannounce

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35674306)

It sounds to me as if you want Netflix to be what you want it to be --- a cheaper version of Sky Movies, rather than what Netflix has proved to be successful ---- a cheap price with loads of DVD boxsets, a few recent films and a lot of oldish, and not so well known films and recently, original content.

Netflix and Sky movies serve different distinct needs.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35674368)

I do want it to be a cheaper version of Sky Movies, although I appreciate the price may go up a bit to accommodate this. However, the price charged in the States is also pretty low for all the stuff they have on there.

They could always have a two tier system, with a higher price paid for the really up to date films.

Either way, it'll be cheaper than Sky Movies, which although sporting a good range of films, is a rip off in terms of price.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35674368)

I do want it to be a cheaper version of Sky Movies, although I appreciate the price may go up a bit to accommodate this. However, the price charged in the States is also pretty low for all the stuff they have on there.

They could always have a two tier system, with a higher price paid for the really up to date films.

Either way, it'll be cheaper than Sky Movies, which although sporting a good range of films, is a rip off in terms of price.

Originally Posted by harry_hitch (Post 35674398)

I very, very rarely buy anything via Amazon so the prime delivery option does not bother me. I will say though, it does seem a good price and I may give it a go, purely for the Kindle lending library. However, I still prefer to expand my physical book collection but finances currently dictate how much I can buy.

Whilst it is a good price, I am not sure if it is for me though.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35674351)

Seems a good deal if you join before 26th Feb

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/prime/pi...orepreannounce

Originally Posted by paultrademark (Post 35674408)

It's £79 I believe.

Originally Posted by richard s (Post 35674407)

Set the TV to zoom every time (because of black bars top and bottom)
.

Originally Posted by johnathome (Post 35674409)

It's £49 until the end of this month, if that's what you meant?

Doubt i'll renew at £79 though.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35674371)

You seem to think the US site is full of current movies; it isn't.

Why do you persist in suggesting a change to a service that has been successful for a number of years, (mainly because it is cheap and has loads of content) to one with complex pricing structures, just to meet your needs?

Do you know more about these things than the Netflix management?

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35674417)

You sound a bit stressed, PB, are you OK? I'm not saying Netflix should do anything, just speculating about what their strategy might be.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35674435)

No need to worry OB. It's just that you seem to live in 'cloud Cuckoo land' with regard to current services which have their uniquely defined aims in terms of content, pricing and target audience.

They don't suit your needs of 'up to date content at low prices' so you imagine they will change to satisfy your needs. Just like you imagine Sky will forgo the USP that is HBO shows and Netflix will add more up to date films.

Your replacing of reality with 'would be nice to have fantasy' never seems to end.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35674444)

I remember getting shouted down a few years ago when I suggested that linear channels would ultimately be replaced by on demand, but that doesn't sound quite so far fetched now, does it?

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35674453)

.... and then there was your certainty that Sky Atlantic was definitely coming...

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35674413)

It's not Netflix's fault that you prefer to watch films in an incorrect aspect ratio ;):D

---------- Post added at 15:56 ---------- Previous post was at 15:54 ----------


My aspect ratio is 16.9.

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 35675470)

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 35675544)

People have been saying that using Unblockus lets you have much more content from the US etc, can anyone tell me what that "better" content actually is? Just a few series etc would do, thanks.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35675567)

Netflix UK compared with US.

http://netflixukvsusa.blogspot.co.uk/

Other regions also have different titles.

Originally Posted by SnoopZ (Post 35675583)

I have never done this streaming thing before so my question is is it worth me getting Amazon Prime for £49 a year if i mainly watch the latest movies and i want to stream to the Xbox etc, or will Netflix off my more?

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35675590)

If your purely looking at both there UK offerings I personally think Lovefilm (Amazon Prime) offers the better movie selection that said Netflix probably has the better range of TV shows and has some decent original shows. Both Netflix and Amazon Prime offer good streaming quality via the Xbox One.

Originally Posted by SnoopZ (Post 35675595)

How old are the films on Amazon Prime, how soon before it shows hollywood blockbusters? :)

What is the resolution of them 1080p?

Just signed up to to the 30 day trial to lock in the price for a year.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35676183)

If we are going to get the Amazon/Lovefilm and HBO apps, I really do hope that we get them on a subscription rather than a pay per view basis. Even better if VM negotiated a deal similar to that of BT/ESPN, but I don't expect that's going to happen.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35676190)

Apparently we're getting Blockbuster

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/10...g-service.html

I think that there is no way you will get HBO as a subscription service, and if the new Amazon Instant video does launch on Tivo, you can buy HBO content via that e.g.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...m%2Cnull%2C291

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35676707)

I expect you are right about that, but it's a pity, because I'm sure that if there was a subscription arrangement, such as the one we have with Netflix, this would rake in more money for Amazon and HBO. I don't think that many of us are going to be splashing out to 'buy' these rights to stream the programming. I only want to view them once anyway, no point in watching a second time, although I know some people who just watch the same stuff over and over again.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35676711)

Sky have the streaming subscription rights to HBO locked up in the UK. That is the problem.

HBO obviously thought it more lucrative to do an exclusive deal with Sky than to make it available to more people. This seems contrary to the way HBO distributes content in the US, where the subscription option seems available with most cable/satellite services.

Originally Posted by kgollop (Post 35676985)

I'm after a bit of advice. I'm currently using a ps3 with unblockus to access US Netflix. I'd like to add a cheap device in the bedroom for Netflix viewing, that must be unblockus compatible. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by kgollop (Post 35676985)

I'm after a bit of advice. I'm currently using a ps3 with unblockus to access US Netflix. I'd like to add a cheap device in the bedroom for Netflix viewing, that must be unblockus compatible. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35677047)

Roku - you can pick them up for about £45 these days. Or WD live tv you can get for about £60 if you look around on Ebay and Amazon.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35677066)

Personally I like the WDTV Live Streaming Media Player because you can set it to output 1080p/24, which a lot of the content on the US Netflix is encoded as, including US TV as well as films. For TVs that can't do 24fps, it can also output 1080p/60 which works well and you can choose various other combinations.

Originally Posted by Kabaal (Post 35677115)

The one draw back i find with the WDTV and Netflix is having to set the fps manually according to the movie/show you are watching, and usually have to use another device to make sure which fps is needed. Hopefully they can eventually have it detect it automatically like it does with your local files via firmware, or hurry up and bring out a new version with a little more oomph.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35677066)

Personally I would avoid the Roku if using unblockus as you can't change the DNS settings with in the Roku box and have to change them in your router.

Any of the cheap Bluray players that include Netflix will be fine; sometimes you can get those for around £60.

Personally I like the WDTV Live Streaming Media Player because you can set it to output 1080p/24, which a lot of the content on the US Netflix is encoded as, including US TV as well as films. For TVs that can't do 24fps, it can also output 1080p/60 which works well and you can choose various other combinations.

They often sell for £60 but prices can go higher than that at times.

Another popular Netflix device is Apple TV, but as I understand it, you can't change the default output from 50hz. This possibly applies to most BR players. Also Apple TV only outputs 5.1 DD, rather than 5.1 DD+

This article is a bit old now, but may be of help?

http://www.techofthehub.com/whats-best-netflix-player

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35677119)

I leave my lounge WD box on 1080p/24 because the TV supports 24fps and the Bedroom WD box on 1080p/60 because the bedroom TV doesn't support 24fps.

I find no problems with those settings and have never felt the need to change them. Most of the shows I watch are US TV and rarely British TV, which could explain why those settings work so well for me.

I seem to remember that there is an 'Auto' setting on the WD box but have never used it and not quite sure what it does.

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35677123)

The WDTV is something i'm looking into getting especially if the WWE Network works on it. As i'm dropping vm tv soon as my contract is up and sticking to smart dns, netflix, amazon and WWE Network.

Originally Posted by Kabaal (Post 35677127)

We watch a fair mix so needs to be changed often otherwise ends up with the jerkiness associated with the wrong refresh rate.

Auto just does as you'd imagine, changea the TV refresh to 24hz for 24fps, 50hz for 25fps and 60hz for 30fps dependent on the files being played. Just doesn't work for Netflix.

One of these days :)

Originally Posted by blue666666 (Post 35677229)

Can you get 3D films on the Netflix app on virgin Tivo?

Originally Posted by kgollop (Post 35677224)

Seems like there are so many devices out there. The Roku has great reviews but doesn't seem to work with Unblockus, and the new Google Chromecast device seems to have the same issue. I've seen conflicting reports on WD TV Live and Unblockus/Netflix. Which model do you have passingbat? I quite like the idea of an Android device but there are so many out there and it's hard to establish which ones are any good! Thanks again for everyone's input

Originally Posted by blue666666 (Post 35677229)

Can you get 3D films on the Netflix app on virgin Tivo?

Originally Posted by theone2k10 (Post 35677123)

The WDTV is something i'm looking into getting especially if the WWE Network works on it. As i'm dropping vm tv soon as my contract is up and sticking to smart dns, netflix, amazon and WWE Network.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35677242)

This is the one I bought in January 2013 (bought two of them a few days apart). They were £60 when I bought them and have been regularly since then. Terrible price now!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


The Unblockus site does say that Unblockus may not work on models sold outside the US.

http://support.unblock-us.com/custom...rticles/291573

All I can say is that it works on both of mine. I did a firmware update when I first got them, but haven't done one since (If it ain't broke etc...).

You don't get the US apps (as expected) but as Netflix had launched in the UK by the time I bought the WD boxes, it was included as a UK app set anyway.

I bought them purely for Netflix use, to get 1080p and 5.1 audio and don't use them for playing back ripped DVDs; I have a couple of media PCs for that.

I leave them on all the time and have to reboot them every now and again or else Netflix can hang when playing a title. I don't have to reboot the bedroom one very often at all, but the one in the lounge has a couple of USB hard drives attached with ripped DVD video on and that seems to make a reboot required much more often for some reason. One little advertised feature of the WD box is that it acts as a cheap and cheerful NAS drive, which is why I have a couple of USB hard drives connected to the lounge one.

Also when you reboot, it sometimes forgets the video output setting and reverts to 720p/50. I'm used to that so always check after a reboot.

So the WD box is not perfect, but it works well enough for my needs. I like the ability to change the video output to my desired setting and therefore put up with it's quirks.


Hope that helps.

---------- Post added at 19:27 ---------- Previous post was at 19:01 ----------




I think 3D content is limited to the US Netflix region. Stand to be corrected on this.

---------- Post added at 19:32 ---------- Previous post was at 19:27 ----------



Just checked and the WWE Network isn't on the WDTV box.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35677242)

This is the one I bought in January 2013 (bought two of them a few days apart). They were £60 when I bought them and have been regularly since then. Terrible price now!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


The Unblockus site does say that Unblockus may not work on models sold outside the US.

http://support.unblock-us.com/custom...rticles/291573

All I can say is that it works on both of mine. I did a firmware update when I first got them, but haven't done one since (If it ain't broke etc...).

You don't get the US apps (as expected) but as Netflix had launched in the UK by the time I bought the WD boxes, it was included as a UK app set anyway.

I bought them purely for Netflix use, to get 1080p and 5.1 audio and don't use them for playing back ripped DVDs; I have a couple of media PCs for that.

I leave them on all the time and have to reboot them every now and again or else Netflix can hang when playing a title. I don't have to reboot the bedroom one very often at all, but the one in the lounge has a couple of USB hard drives attached with ripped DVD video on and that seems to make a reboot required much more often for some reason. One little advertised feature of the WD box is that it acts as a cheap and cheerful NAS drive, which is why I have a couple of USB hard drives connected to the lounge one.

Also when you reboot, it sometimes forgets the video output setting and reverts to 720p/50. I'm used to that so always check after a reboot.

So the WD box is not perfect, but it works well enough for my needs. I like the ability to change the video output to my desired setting and therefore put up with it's quirks.


Hope that helps.

---------- Post added at 19:27 ---------- Previous post was at 19:01 ----------




I think 3D content is limited to the US Netflix region. Stand to be corrected on this.

---------- Post added at 19:32 ---------- Previous post was at 19:27 ----------



Just checked and the WWE Network isn't on the WDTV box.

Originally Posted by kgollop (Post 35677466)

Any of the other content on there worth a watch?

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35677486)

There are some shows that were on Atlantic that we obviously couldn't get, which are on various Netflix regions.

The Following (on US)
The Borgias (on US)
Blue Bloods (Denmark )
House of Lies (Canada/Denmark)
Friday Night Lights (US)
Mad Men (US)

This is a useful site; it tells you if a ilm or TV show is on Netflix and which region it is on.

http://www.moreflicks.com/home/tv-se...%5B%5D=netflix

Originally Posted by kgollop (Post 35677513)

Thanks, have just started The Following which looks excellent. In terms of the other streaming services on the WDTV there's not much else I'm likely to be making much use of I don't think as there's a tivo connected to the same tv. Looks good as a media player though. Have installed the zappo app so you can stream content from my phone which works well

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 35677671)

I really think its pretty crap that we cant get some of these shows, without having to go to the trouble of buying another frigging box, and subscribing to something like unblockus!

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35677486)

There are some shows that were on Atlantic that we obviously couldn't get, which are on various Netflix regions.

The Following (on US)
The Borgias (on US)
Blue Bloods (Denmark )
House of Lies (Canada/Denmark)
Friday Night Lights (US)
Mad Men (US)

This is a useful site; it tells you if a ilm or TV show is on Netflix and which region it is on.

http://www.moreflicks.com/home/tv-se...%5B%5D=netflix

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35677968)

Thanks MM as you beat me to it :D but yes this does like quite interesting if all you have to do is plug it into a spare HDMI port and then Bobs your uncle.

Would having one of these sticks in a spare HDMI port affect the running of a normal STB?.